Why won't Facebook Messenger send videos?

There are a few common reasons why you may be having trouble sending videos through Facebook Messenger:

Video File Size Is Too Large

Facebook Messenger limits video files to 25MB. If your video is larger than that, Messenger will not be able to send it. You’ll need to compress or trim your video to reduce the file size before sending.

Poor Internet Connection

Sending videos requires a stable internet connection. If you or the recipient has a slow connection or poor reception, the video file may fail to send or get stuck mid-transfer. Try sending again when you’re connected to WiFi or have a stronger cell signal.

App Needs Updating

Outdated versions of the Facebook Messenger app can cause issues with sending videos. Make sure you and the recipient both have the latest version of Messenger installed. You can update the app through the App Store on iOS or Play Store on Android.

Recipient’s Storage Is Full

If the recipient you’re trying to send a video to has full or almost full storage on their device, Messenger may fail to deliver the video. Ask them to clear up space and try sending the video again.

Temporary Technical Problems

Like any app, Facebook Messenger can have intermittent technical issues that prevent videos from sending correctly. If none of the other troubleshooting tips work, the problem may be temporary and resolve in a few hours. Try again later.

How to Compress Videos for Messenger

If your video exceeds Messenger’s 25MB size limit, you’ll need to compress it before sending. Here are some ways to reduce video file size:

Use video compression software like Handbrake to encode your video into a smaller file.
Lower the video resolution if it’s higher than 720p.

Shorten the video or trim any unnecessary parts.
Reduce the video bitrate. Lower bitrates result in smaller files.
Convert the video to a more efficient codec like H.264.

Troubleshooting Tips

Try these steps if you’re still having issues sending videos on Messenger:

Force close and restart the Messenger app.
Update your phone software and apps.

Check Facebook and Messenger status pages for any known issues.
Toggle your phone’s airplane mode on and off to reset the connection.
Log out and back into your Facebook account on your phone.

Uninstall and reinstall the Messenger app.
Try sending on Wifi instead of mobile data.

Alternative Ways to Share Videos

If you can’t get a video file to send properly on Messenger, here are some other options for sharing videos with your contacts:

Facebook Feed

Upload the video to your Facebook feed and share it that way. Friends will be able to view, comment and share the video from your post.

File Sharing Apps

Use a dedicated file sharing app like Dropbox or Google Drive to upload your video and share the link.

Email

Attach your video to an email if the file size is under the email provider’s limit.

Third-Party Messaging Apps

Alternative messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram may handle video transfers better.

AirDrop (iOS only)

iPhone and iPad users can share videos locally with AirDrop when connected to the same WiFi network.

Why Facebook Limits Messenger Video Size

There are a few reasons why Facebook caps Messenger videos at 25MB:

Keeps file transfers manageable for the app and server infrastructure.
Avoids hogging users’ time and data allowance on mobile networks.
Reduces storage space used on recipients’ devices.

Ensures videos can transmit quickly and reliably.
Limits abuse and spread of inappropriate content.

The 25MB limit provides a balanced experience for most use cases. Users can still share short video clips, animations, and other compact video content easily through Messenger.

Max Video Length in Messenger

In addition to file size, Facebook also limits the length of videos sent through Messenger:

Max video length on Android: 15 minutes
Max video length on iOS: 5 minutes

Trying to send longer videos will result in an error. Trim lengthy videos to fit within the time constraints.

The stricter limit on iOS is likely due to Apple’s app guidelines and data storage policies for the platform.

Steps to Compress Large Videos for Messenger

Follow these steps to easily compress and optimize video files for sending through Messenger:

Install Handbrake or other video compression software.
Import your original video into the app.
Select a common output format like MP4 or MKV.

Choose a resolution of 720p or lower.
Set the bitrate between 3000 – 6000 kbit/s.
Use constant quality encoding around RF 22.

Enable “Web Optimized” preset if available.
Start compression and export the smaller file.
Review the file size and re-encode if still over 25MB.

Following these guidelines will produce great looking videos under Messenger’s limits. You may need to experiment with the settings to find the optimal balance of quality and file size.

Facebook’s Plans for Messenger Video

Video calling and messaging continues to grow rapidly. Here are some ways Facebook may improve Messenger’s video capabilities in the future:

Increase maximum video length limits.

Support larger/higher quality video files.
Add face filters and AR effects for video chats.
Integrate with Portal devices for enhanced video calls.

Leverage AI to optimize compression and quality.
Improve stability and performance of video transfers.

Enhancing Messenger’s video experience while managing resource constraints will be an ongoing challenge. But Facebook has strong incentives to make video chat and sharing easier for its billions of users worldwide.

Conclusion

Facebook Messenger is used by over 1.3 billion people monthly to stay connected with friends and family. While incredibly useful, it does impose limits on video content for technical and practical reasons. If your videos won’t send due to size, length or other issues, the troubleshooting tips in this guide should help get you up and running again. With the right compression tools and settings, you can seamlessly share video memories through Messenger.